Writing question

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Neither Ms. Perez [nor] Ms. Tanaka [believes] that watching as much television as [her] son Sam does [will lead] to anything productive.</p>

<p>The explanation from the CB: the error is in [her] because it is does not refer to anything clearly. The choice of [believes] is not an error because the two subjects of the sentence are separated by the conjunction "nor." Since the subjects are separated by "nor," they are treated independently, and that is why the verb must be singular because it refers to the subject that is closest to it.</p>

<p>That being said, would the same rule apply for the conjunction "or"?</p>

<p>E.g. Either Ms. Perez [or] Ms. Tanaka [believes] that watching as much television as [her] son Sam does [will lead] to anything productive.</p>

2

<p>Yes, because it is unclear whether her refers to Perez or Tanaka.</p>

3

<p>I think you misunderstood my question. My question is: would “believes,” in the second example sentence, stay the same or would it have to be changed to “believe”?</p>

4

<p>It is the same structure, so the same rule applies to “or.”</p>

<p>Both “neither X nor Y is” and “either X or Y is” are correct.</p>

5

<p>OK, thanks. One more quick question: Does this singular verb rule only apply for “neither… nor” or “either… or” combinations, or does it also apply even if you have only “nor” or “or” in the sentence?</p>

6

<p>^it still applies</p>

<p>correct: “What book or magazine is this from?”</p>